Did the French invent fries?

The French did not invent french fries or French fries (as they're referred to in Europe). Their origin most likely lies in Belgium. In the XVII century, the people living in the Meuse Valley used to fry small fish. During the winter when the rivers would freeze and no fish was available, they sliced potatoes instead and deep-fried them just like the fried fish that they were missing, in the same fryer and oil. At a time when this territory was part of the Spanish Netherlands, an American diplomat living in France is considered to have introduced this culinary specialty in Paris sometime at the end of the XVIII century where they received praise and quickly gained huge popularity, eventually becoming associated with the concept of a French delicacy to the outside world.